Propagation Characteristics
Lying approximately halfway between 80m (3.5 MHz) and 40m (7 MHz), the 60 meter (5 MHz) band forms a communication bridge when propagation effects make use of 80 or 40m impossible for local-to-medium distance communications – often needed in emergency communication scenarios where there is no existing normal communications infrastructure or it is devastated. Less affected by D-Layer absorption than 80m, the 60 meter (5 MHz) band is an ideal candidate for Near Vertical Incidence Skywave (NVIS), the most commonly used technique capable of providing seamless local-to-medium distance HF communications. Information about the Ionosphere's Critical Frequency (foF2) at any one time is highly important for setting up and maintaining reliable NVIS radio links. This information can be found online from Ionograms produced by local ionosondes at this site
Read more about this topic: 60-meter Band